Understanding Community Economic Growth and Decline

Gerald L. Gordon is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Economic Development Authority in Fairfax County, Virginia, USA.

"Gordon provides an extraordinarily wise and compelling take on the complexities of economic planning in our time. In order to thrive, his research demonstrates, we must learn to account for eventualities we can’t anticipate. How? Implicitly, the book is an argument for education that prepares the next generations to recognize the astounding dynamism and interconnectedness of our world." – Zofia Burr, George Mason University, USA"This book addresses a timely issue that impacts all communities, presenting the findings of extensive research and years of practical experience. It is a great choice for both the scholar and the practitioner seeking answers to modern day questions in economic development. A thoughtful exploration of the topic that is also an interesting read weaving together theory and real-life examples."– Kendra Stewart, The College of Charleston, USA"In a time when federal and state funding for localities is declining, it’s imperative that these communities take a proactive and strategic approach to economic growth. Jerry Gordon’s book is a must read for those studying economic development and those practitioners living it on a daily basis."– Dr. Matt Shank, Marymount University, USA

• Introduction Part 1. An Examination of Existing Theories of Community Economic Growth and Decline 1. Competing Theories of Community Economic Growth and Decline 2. A Brief History of Economic Growth and Decline 3. Growth versus Development 4. In Search of a New Understanding Part 2. Why Local Economies Must Grow: Causes of Increasing Demand 5. Economic Stasis: "We Don’t Want to Grow; We Want to Stand Still" 6. Global Forces on Local Economies 7. National and State Forces That Impact Local Economies 8. Over-Dependence on a Single Companies or Single Industries: Case Studies Part 3. The Impacts of Insufficient Local Economic Growth 9. Impacts on the Secondary and Tertiary Economies 10. Reaction Times and Waiting Until it is Too Late 11. Community and Citizen Responses Part 4. Enhancing the Local "Product" 12. Preparing and Selling the Product 13. Physical Requisites for Economic Development 14. Matching Communities to Optimal Business Development 15. Institutional Growth and Economic Development 16. Building Amenities to Drive Growth 17. Rural Communities and Small Town Economic Development Part 5. The Process: Initiating and Sustaining Local Economic Growth 18. Vision, Planning, and Selling the Plan 19. The Timing of the Process 20. Team-Building, Budgeting, and Professionalism 21. Creating Strategic Alliances for Growth 22. Image, Awareness, and Selling Communities for Employers 23. Managing Internal Expectations 24. Managing Inter-Jurisdictional Relationships 25. Business Incubation and Entrepreneurialism as an Economic Growth Generator and State Development Programs Part 6. Conclusions and Actions/Recommendations 26. Preparing Communities for Economic Development 27. Conclusions